One of the most important goals for the Green Bay Packers, as it is with every NFL team, this offseason is get their players healthy and enter the 2023 campaign at full health. In particular, Green Bay is hoping Rashan Gary and Eric Stokes will heal fast enough to be ready for Week One.
Gary, of course, is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in Week Nine of the 2022 NFL season against the Detroit Lions. His absence on the defense was certainly felt last season as the pass rush became nearly non-existent aside from Preston Smith.
The Packers recently activated Gary off of the PUP list, but his status for Week One against the Chicago Bears remains in question. Green Bay is being cautious in how quickly they bring him along to get him up to game speed. With so many questions regarding the edge position, one NFL analyst believes the Packers would do well to bring in a free agent for insurance.
The Green Bay Packers Are Encouraged to Sign 3-Time Pro Bowl Edge Rusher Melvin Ingram
![Green Bay Packers Encouraged to Sign 3-Time Pro Bowl Edge Rusher (and Why It's a Bad Idea) 2 Green Bay Packers urged to sign Melvin Ingram](https://wisportsheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/USATSI_19430598_168400517_lowres-scaled.jpg)
Photos Cleveland Browns V Miami Dolphins 41
Given that Gary is not guaranteed to be ready for Week One, and that the Packers pass rush was less-than average without him, Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report suggests that the team go out and sign free agent pass rusher Melvin Ingram:
“At the age of 34, Melvin Ingram is no longer the leading rusher he once was, but he can still get after the quarterback.
“The three-time Pro Bowler notched six sacks with the Dolphins last season while playing just 45 percent of the snaps.
“The Packers have some options on the edge. Rookie Lukas Van Ness could be pressed into action, but the team might be more interested in kicking him inside in passing situations.
“That leaves Kingsley Enagbare and Justin Hollins to take over the role. With Gary’s status still unknown, it wouldn’t hurt to bring Ingram in and find out whether he can make an impact.”
Melvin made all three of his Pro Bowls while playing with the Chargers, first in San Diego and then in Los Angeles, for nine seasons. He was selected to the Pro Bowl each year between 2017-2019, during which time he averaged 18 quarterback hits, 8.0 sacks, and 37 tackles per season.
Prior to playing for the Dolphins last season, Ingram split the 2021 season with the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers. He had 11 quarterback hits, two sacks, and 25 tackles between the two teams.
If Ingram signs with any NFL team in 2023, it will be his fourth team in three years.
Why the Green Bay Packers Should Not Sign Melvin Ingram
![Green Bay Packers Encouraged to Sign 3-Time Pro Bowl Edge Rusher (and Why It's a Bad Idea) 3 Green Bay Packers 2023 first round pick Lukas Van Ness](https://wisportsheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/lvn-scaled.jpg)
The idea that the Packers could or should look outside of the organization to address the edge rusher position is an understandable one. After all, Gary may not be ready for Week One and the pass rush did suffer without him.
That being said, the Packers have made a commitment to becoming a younger team. They used their first round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on Lukas Van Ness, who will likely see time on the edge and the interior. Furthermore, the team believes Kingsley Enagbare can take a leap in his second year. Justin Hollins was also re-signed after the team acquired him mid-season last year.
In other words, Green Bay is not going to give away snaps to an aging veteran that could otherwise be played by any of their younger pass rushers. While the team expects to compete for a NFC North title in 2023, they plan on doing so with the young players they have.
Additionally, Gary being activated from the PUP list this early in camp indicates that if he is not ready come Week One, he will be shortly after.
Ingram had a nice season in a reserve role last season, but the Packers just can’t afford to offer him the snaps that the younger players and established stars will get.
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